Dodgers activate Ted Lilly, option Matt Magill [Updated]

Dodgers starter Ted Lilly pitches against the New York Mets in April. (Kathy Willens / Associated…)

He’s back, again.

Ted Lilly has taken a circuitous route to the Dodgers rotation, but appears to be back after he was activated prior to Monday’s game, and right-handed starter Matt Magill was optioned back to triple-A Albuquerque.

Magill started four games in the Dodgers’ makeshift rotation, posting a 5.50 ERA without a decision. He had perhaps his best start Sunday in Atlanta, holding the Braves to one run in his five innings.

This is the second time Lilly has come off the disabled list this season. Lilly had offseason shoulder surgery and the Dodgers wanted to stretch him out longer after he was briefly ill during spring training.

After having to be talked into an additional rehab start, he came back on April 24 against the Mets and threw five strong innings (one run, six hits, seven strikeouts). Afterward, however, he felt pain in his back ribcage area, which he neglected to mention to the training staff.

He lasted only three poor innings (five runs, eight hits) before the injury forced him out and he went back on the DL. Lilly pronounced himself ready after one rehab start this time, and although the Dodgers again wanted him to make another one, they activated him Monday.

Lilly could be temporarily headed to the bullpen, since the Dodgers have an off-day Thursday and could skip the fifth starter a turn.

[Updated, 3:34p.m.: Mattingly said in Milwaukee that no one will be skipped in the rotation, so presumably Lilly would start Saturday at home against the Cardinals.]